Historic Richmond Inns

Planning a Valentine trip to Richmond next month? Don’t forget to include an evening at the ballet – The Richmond Ballet, that is. Join fellow dance enthusiasts at the Carpenter Theatre at Richmond CenterStage, February 10 – 12, and enjoy Coppélia. Wonder at Dr. Coppelius, Swanhilde and Franz during the comic presentation of the classic story of mistaken identity, misplaced admiration and one very intriguing, lifelike dancing doll.

The ballet premiered on May 25, 1870 at the Theatre Imperial de l’Opera in Paris, France, and was composed by Leo Delibes. It was popularly received, but interrupted by the Franco-Prussian War, and the untimely death of its lead dancer, 17-year-old Giuseppina Bozzacchi, during the Siege of Paris. Ultimately, the ballet became the most-performed at the Opera Garnier.

Tickets to Coppélia can be purchased online and matinees and evening performances are available. Book your stay at one of the six Historic Richmond Inns today, and plan the perfect romantic Richmond Valentine’s Day getaway for you and your sweetheart.

The Historic Richmond Inns

Sources:

Wikipedia: Coppelia

Richmond Ballet: Coppelia

In just under one week, the 2011-2012 Season of the Richmond Ballet will launch with the premier of “A Tribute to Igor Antonov”. The program honors Antonov’s 20-year career with the Ballet and celebrates his success as he prepares to depart the company.

Antonov, born in the Ukraine and trained at the Kiev Choreographic Institute, will present his favorite pieces in two final programs. Program A features the “Black Swan Pas de Deux from Swan Lake” and Artistic Director Stoner Winslett’s “Echoing Past”. Program B features William Soleau’s “Nuevo Tango” and Malcolm Burn’s “Pas Glazunov”. Both performances will also include Balanchine’s “Apollo” and excerpts from “Who Cares?”

Ballet aficionados can purchase tickets now for the performances at the Carpenter Theatre at Richmond CenterStage which will be held September 8 – September 18, 2011.

The 2011-2012 Season will continue in November with Balanchine’s “Liebeslieder Walzer”. In December, fans will feel the holiday spirit at Tchaicovsky’s “The Nutcracker”, followed by a February run of Delibes’ “Coppelia”. In March, CenterStage welcomes Ma Cong’s “World Premiere” and the season is rounded out by an April presentation of Aaron Copeland’s “Rodeo” with the Richmond Symphony.

Various subscriptions as well as individual tickets are available for The Richmond Ballet’s events. The performances are popular, so purchase admission early and make plans to stay at your favorite Historic Richmond Inn before and after the show.

The Richmond Ballet is the State Ballet of Virginia. It was founded in the 1950s and served as a civic ballet for 25 years before becoming a professional company in 1984. It is closely associated with the School of Richmond Ballet which trains over 700 students each year. Performances are highly acclaimed and its programs reach more than 100,000 people throughout the Commonwealth annually.

This last weekend in March promises great activities to enjoy in Richmond Virginia and most are in close proximity of our Historic Richmond Inns.

Thursday, March 25, the Firehouse Theatre Project presents “Epiphany50 – One for the Road” a one man show written and performed by Bill Patton.  On Saturday, March 27, attend the 2010 Fire Ball, food, drink, raffle, auction to support the Firehouse Theatre. Attire is theatrical black-tie, tickets $65 per person.

Sportsbackers hosts the 11th Annual Ukrop’s Monument Avenue 10k, with its unique contests on Saturday March 27.  The run takes participants up and down Monument Avenue, one of America’s most beautiful boulevards and named to the National register of Historic Places. The morning is slated to be cool – perfect running weather and this forecast for sun is the first time for sunny weather since 2007!  Since somewhere around 37,000 participants have registered, registration is now closed, but there are plenty of opportunities to cheer the participants on, listen to the bands along the route, check out the Party Stops along the way, and take part in the festival in Monroe Park afterwards.

The 2010 Downtown Loft Tour is sxheduled on March 27 between 10 Am and 5 Pm.  Sponsored by Venture Richmond, this is the opportunity to meet the owners, hear their stories,  and tour their spaces. Seeing is believing downtown’s lofty lifestyle.

Friday March 26 hosts the Fourth Friday Art Walk with new exhibits at Art Works, 320 Hull Street, and Reception at Russell Projects at Plant Zero Studio 44.

Of course, “Wicked: The Untold Story of the Witches of Oz” continues until Sunday March 28 at Richmond’s Landmark Theater, ending its 19 day run here in Richmond.

The Richmond Ballet performs the two three-piece programs they will take to New York City’s Joyce Theater in April this Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday and then again on Tuesday March 30 through Thursday April 1.

Lisa Lampanelli, the Queen of Mean, appears Saturday at the Carpenter Theatre at CenterStage.  And, assorted live music options are also available at Richmond’s many venues. Many accessible by riding the free big green bus to the bottom and back!

Weekends are lively, upbeat, and fun in Richmond Virginia and a bed and breakfast stay is bound to create one-of-a-kind memories.